Headrest for a vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a headrest ( 10 ) for a vehicle seat, comprising a central part ( 11 ) containing a cushion support and a cushion that is held on top of a seat back by means of at least one support rod, the front region of said headrest having a head support region ( 17 ). The cushion support is optionally pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivoting axis (x). A respective lateral part ( 12 ) is pivotally mounted on each side of the head support region ( 17 ), about a displacement axis (y), which extends respectively in a lateral direction in relation to the central part ( 11 ) and which is located in the upper region of the central part ( 11 ). The displacement axis (y) extends obliquely at a first angle (a) to the pivoting axis (x) and to a horizontal projection plane that is common to the pivoting axis (x) and backwards (h) in relation to the head support region ( 17 ), the displacement axis (y) being situated on a horizontal plane that runs parallel to the pivoting axis (x).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the US national stage of PCT applicationPCT/DE2005/001138, filed 24 Jun. 2005, published 5 Jan. 2006 asWO2006/000203, and claiming the priority of German patent application102004030933.7 itself filed 25 Jun. 2004, whose entire disclosures areherewith incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a headrest for a passenger seat with a centralpart containing a cushion support provided with a cushion supported byat least one mounting bar on top of a seat back and having a front parthaving a head support region, the cushion support being optionallypivotal about a horizontal pivot axis, each side of the head supportregion carrying a respective side part provided with a cushion andpivotal about an adjustment axis extending laterally from the centralpart at an upper region of the central part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a headrest, which is in particular used in relation withmotor-vehicle seats, is described for example in DE 30 39 934 C2 (cf. DE196 53 516 A1).

In the basic form of the known headrest (DE 30 39 93 C2) a side part ismounted on each side of the central part containing a cushion supportsuch that they can pivot around respective adjustment axes oriented inthe upper region of the central part and extending parallel to thehorizontal pivot axis of the cushion support. The two side parts can bepivoted together or separately such that the passenger's head issupported laterally as well as in the back, as is the case for a wingheadrest (cf. e.g. DE 103 17 036 B3).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Starting from the headrest according to DE 30 39 934 C2 the invention isbased on the object of improving the known headrest such that additionaladvantageous applications are possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is solved by means of the corresponding features of thecorresponding identical preamble and the features described below.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the adjustment axisextends at a first angle relative to the pivot axis in a horizontalplane that includes the pivot axis and extends backward relative to thehead support region so the adjustment axis is located in a horizontalplane parallel to the pivot axis.

In such a headrest, the two pivoted side parts together with the headsupport region form a space that opens outward away from the headsupport region or a cavity with an approximately trapezoidal horizontalcross section.

The advantage of such a first embodiment of the invention consists inthat the passenger's head is not as closely surrounded as it is the casein the generic known headrest with side parts that can be pivoted towardeach other. In fact, in the first embodiment of the invention, thepassenger's head benefits from an additional side tolerance that isconsidered to be comfortable like in the above mentioned wing headrest.

Herein, it is substantial that the back of the passenger's head stillcan be supported on the head support region of the central part suchthat in case of acceleration due to a crash a sudden impact on thepassenger's head can be avoided to a large extent. Moreover, thepassenger's head is centered in the cavity that is formed between theside parts pivoted upward and the head support region that correspondsto the requirements of the passenger as far as comfort and safety areconcerned.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the adjustment axisextends at a second angle relative to the pivot axis in a vertical planethat includes the pivot axis and extends downward relative to the headsupport region, the adjustment axis being located in a vertical planeparallel to the pivot axis.

A headrest according to the invention with the above-described featuresprovides a cavity when the side parts between the latter and the headsupport region are pivoted upward, which is designed as a downwardtrapezoidal convergent cavity in the vertical section. Such a cavitywith its side inclined surfaces formed by the two side parts offers theadvantage of a maximum supporting adjustment of the cavity to theindividual body sizes of the passengers, independently of the possibleheight adjustability of a headrest.

The convergent design of the side head support surfaces formed by thetwo pivoted side parts is also advantageous since the passenger benefitsfrom an exact side guiding when displacing his/her body slightlydownward in order to achieve the non-operational position that, in fact,does not give to the passenger the feeling of being jammed in.

Finally, according to a third embodiment of the invention, theadvantages associated to the features of first and second embodimentsare combined with each other such that the adjustment axis extends witha first angle relative to a pivot axis in a horizontal plane thatincludes the pivot axis and backward relative to the head support regionand that additionally the adjustment axis extends with a second anglerelative to the pivot axis in a vertical plane that is in common withthe pivot axis and downward relative the head support region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further features of the invention are set out in the sub-claims.

The drawings show preferred illustrated embodiments according to theinvention. In the drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a headrest with side parts pivotedback;

FIG. 2 is the headrest according to FIG. 1 with side parts pivotedforward and upward;

FIG. 3 is a schematically illustrated partial top view of a firstembodiment of the headrest;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the headrest according to arrow IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematically illustrated partial top view of a secondembodiment of the headrest;

FIG. 6 is a back view of the headrest according to arrow VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematically illustrated partial top view of a thirdembodiment of the headrest;

FIG. 8 is a back view of the headrest according to arrow VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a headrest according to the illustratedembodiment and according to arrow IX of FIG. 1,

FIG. 10 is the headrest according to FIG. 9, with pivoted side parts,and according to arrow X of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 11 and 12 show elevational partly broken-away front views of theheadrest as in FIG. 9 from two different angles;

FIG. 13 is the headrest shown in FIG. 9 shown in perspective view withthe left side part pivoted back and the right side part pivoted out; and

FIG. 14 is a top view of a headrest according to FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, every headrest, regardless of its individual design, isalways indicated at 10. Analogous components as far as their function isconcerned are also identified with the same reference numbers in spiteof different design.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the headrest 10 is provided with a centralpart 11, two side parts 12 (in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, only one side part 12can be seen), a neck support 13, as well as with two mounting bars 15having adjustment notches 14 (in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 only one mounting bar15 can be seen).

FIG. 1 shows the side part 12 in its rest position pivoted back and FIG.2 shows the side part 12 in its use position pivoted forward.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 the substantial features of a first embodiment areshown. The central part 11 is shown only partially. Also in FIGS. 3 and4 only one side part 12 can be seen (see also FIGS. 5, 6; FIGS. 7, 8).The horizontal pivot axis, shown by a dot-dash line, around which thecentral part 11 can be pivoted or inclined, is indicated at x, while theadjustment axis of adjustment shaft ends 16 (or one adjustment shaftend) is indicated at y. In FIGS. 3 and 4 also only one adjustment shaftend 16 can be seen (see also FIGS. 5, 6; FIGS. 7, 8).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show that the adjustment axis y extends at a first angle αrelative to the pivot axis x in a horizontal plane (not shown) thatincludes the pivot axis x and backward in a direction h from the headsupport region 17. Simultaneously, the adjustment axis y is located in ahorizontal plane (not shown) that is parallel to the pivot axis x.

Thus, when the side part 12 is pivoted forward in the direction v aboutthe axis y and upward in the direction o, such that for example theposition indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 3 is formed, the two pivotedside parts 12 with their side head support surfaces 18 together withtheir head support surfaces 18 form a space R that is opened away fromthe head support region 17 outward or forward in the direction v or acavity with an approximately trapezoidal horizontal cross-section.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 according to FIGS. 3 and 4, theadjustment axis y extends parallel to the pivot axis x (FIG. 5) andextends with a second angle β relative to the pivot axis in a verticalplane (not shown) that includes the pivot axis x and downward relativeto the head support region 17 (FIG. 6). Simultaneously, the adjustmentaxis y is located in a vertical plane (not shown) that is parallel tothe pivot axis x.

The central part 11 forms a guide surface 19, and the side part 12 formsa complementary guide surface 20. By means of the dotted line shown inFIG. 5 between the points a and b, it can be seen to what extent theside part 12 supports the central part 11. The position indicated bydotted lines between the points b, c, d and e is intended to show howthe side part 12 is pivoted upward in the direction o and forward in thedirection v such that between the head support surfaces 18 of the sideparts 12 and the head support region 17 a cavity or space R that isdesigned downwardly trapezoidal and tapered vertically, is formed.

Such a space R provides, due to its side head support surfaces 18 formedby the two side parts 12, the advantage of a supporting adaptation ofthe space R to different individual body sizes of passengers,independently of optional height adjustability of the headrest 10.

In FIG. 6 a particular embodiment is indicated according to which aconnecting shaft 21 is located in the central part 11 or in the cushionsupport 26 that is not further defined in FIG. 6, the two ends of theconnecting shaft 22 being coupled with respective adjustment shaft ends16 by means of universal joints 23.

Moreover, the connecting shaft 21 is surrounded by a clamp-like brakeelement 24 and connected to a schematically illustrated drive motor 24′.Such a clamp-like brake element made of spring steel sheet is forexample seen in EP 0764 557 B1.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 a third embodiment is schematically shown. The thirdembodiment is sort of a combination of the first embodiment (FIGS. 3 and4) and the second embodiment (FIGS. 5 and 6). In fact, the adjustmentaxis y extends with a first angle α relative to the pivot axis x in thehorizontal plane (not shown) that includes the pivot axis x and backwardin the direction h relative to the head support region 17, theadjustment axis y also extending at a second angle β relative to thepivot axis x in a vertical plane (not shown) that includes the pivotaxis x and downward (direction u) relative to the head support region17.

By means of the dotted line between the points a and b that is shown inFIG. 7, it is understood to what extent the side part 12 extends underthe central part 11. Simultaneously, by means of the dotted line betweenthe points b, c, d and e it can be seen that a space R is formed betweenthe head support region 17 and the head support surfaces 18, thehorizontal cross section of which forms a trapezoid that widens outwardor forward in the direction v.

Moreover, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 it is understood that in case ofpivoted side parts 12 their head support regions 18 form together withthe head support region 17 a space R, the vertical cross section of thespace R forming a trapezoid that is downward convergent in the directionu.

FIG. 9 shows in particular the central part 11, the two side parts 12and the neck support 13 that is pivoted forward in the direction v andupward in the direction h. The components 11, 12, 12 as well as 13 areeach designated by the reference number 25 (e.g. textile cloth orleather). Unlike FIG. 9, FIG. 10 shows the side parts 12 that arepivoted forward in the direction v as well as upward in the direction hby means of a combined pivoting movement. In FIG. 10 also thecomplementary guide surfaces 20 of the side parts 12 can be seen.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, a structure of the headrest can be seen that has acushion support 26 as well as foam cushioning 27 enveloped by the cover25. The adjustment shaft end 16 is coaxial with the adjustment axis x,the inner end 28 of the adjustment shaft end 16 is laterally securedinside the cushion support 26 and the outer end 29 in the side part 12,in fact on a base plate 30, against axial displacement. Here the outerend 29 is mounted on the base plate 30 so that it cannot pivot and theinner end 28 of the adjustment shaft end 16 is pivotally mounted in abearing bush 31 in the cushion support 26, in fact in its end wall 32.

Between the inner end 28 and the outer end 29 of the adjustment shaftend 16 a brake element 33 is mounted, the primary part of which, acircular brake disk 38, is firmly connected with the adjustment shaftend 16 and the secondary part, namely a region 39 of the end wall 32 ofthe cushion support 26 that is turned outward, is firmly connected withthe latter.

The base plate 30 of the side part 12 is provided with a guide bolt 34that is guided in a slotted piece 35 formed by the end wall 32 of thecushion support 26. The guide bolt 34 is secured axially to the slottedpiece 35 by means of its bolt head 36 and by means of a plain washer 37.By means of the arrangement of bolt and slotted piece 34, 35 theassociated side part 12 can be pivoted relative to the central part 11by means of the base plate 30 of the side part without the risk ofgetting jammed and in a safe manner. Simultaneously, a continuouspivotal locking is realized by means of the brake element 33.

FIG. 11 clearly shows that the adjustment axis y of the adjustment shaftend 16 can be inclined downward, i.e. in FIG. 11 in the view plane, aswell as simultaneously downward in the direction u. The headrest 10according to FIGS. 9-14 corresponds to the third embodiment that isschematically shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Whereas in particular according to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6provided with a universal joint 23, the two side parts 12 are coupled toeach other in a movable manner and can only be pivoted together, otherembodiments such as also the embodiment according to FIGS. 9-14 adaptedto the individually desired adjustment relations enable an independentpivoting movement of the two side parts 12.

Thus, FIGS. 13 and 14 show that the left side part 12 has pivoted backinto its rest position, whereas the right side part 12 is completelypivoted out. In FIGS. 13 and 14 also the guide surfaces 19 and thecomplementary guide surfaces 20 are shown.

1. A headrest for a motor-vehicle seat, the headrest comprising: acentral part; a mounting bar adapted for fixation in the seat and havingan upper end carrying the central part; a cushion support; a pivotbetween the cushion support and the central part for pivoting of thecushion support on the central part about a pivot axis lying in avertical plane and in a horizontal plane; a cushion on the cushionsupport having a horizontally forwardly directed front face and a pairof horizontally directed opposite ends flanking the front face;respective side parts at the ends of the cushion; and respective sidepivots between the side parts and the cushion support for pivoting ofthe respective side parts about respective adjustment axes relative tothe cushion support, each of the adjustment axes extending downward orrearward from the cushion and forming a small acute angle with at leastone of the planes of the pivot axis.
 2. The motor-vehicle headrestdefined in claim 1 wherein each adjustment axis lies in a horizontalplane parallel to the horizontal plane of the pivot axis and extendsback from the respective end toward the vertical plane of the pivotaxis.
 3. The motor-vehicle headrest defined in claim 1 wherein eachadjustment axis lies in a vertical plane parallel to the vertical planeof the pivot axis and extends down from the respective end to thehorizontal plane of the pivot axis.
 4. The motor-vehicle headrestdefined in claim 1 wherein each adjustment axis extends both down fromthe respective end to the horizontal plane of the pivot axis and backfrom the respective end to the vertical plane of the pivot axis.
 5. Theheadrest according to claim 1, further comprising: a respectiveadjustment shaft end coaxial to each adjustment axis and has an innerend laterally mounted on the cushion support and an outer end securedagainst axial displacement in the respective side part.
 6. The headrestaccording to claim 5, wherein the outer end of each adjustment shaft endis mounted so that cannot pivot relative to the respective side part andthe inner end of each adjustment shaft end is mounted in the cushionsupport so that it can pivot about the respective adjustment axis. 7.The headrest according to claim 6, wherein the inner end of eachadjustment shaft end is mounted pivotally in a respective end wall ofthe cushion support.
 8. The headrest according to claim 6, wherein eachside part is provided with a guide bolt that is fitted to a slottedpiece of the cushion support.
 9. The headrest according to claim 8,wherein the slotted piece is mounted in an end wall of the cushionsupport.
 10. The headrest according to claim 8, wherein each guide boltis secured axially on or in the respective slotted piece.
 11. Theheadrest according to claim 5, further comprising: a respective brakeelement mounted between the inner end and the outer end of eachadjustment shaft end and having a primary part firmly connected with therespective adjustment shaft end and a secondary part firmly connectedwith the cushion support.
 12. The headrest according to claim 5, furthercomprising: a connecting shaft in the cushion support and havingopposite ends coupled with a respective one of the adjustment shaftspivotally by a respective universal joint.
 13. The headrest according toclaim 12, wherein the connecting shaft is connected to a brake elementor to a drive motor.
 14. The headrest according to claim 1, wherein eachadjustment axis extends through a guide surface of the central part aswell as through a complementary guide surface of the respective sidepart.
 15. The headrest according to claim 14, wherein each adjustmentaxis extends through both the guide surface that forms a plane, and thecomplementary guide surface that forms an orthogonal plane.
 16. Theheadrest according to claim 1, further comprising: a neck support partmounted below the cushion support and between the two side parts andthat can pivot toward the cushion support or away therefrom.